Drawing out the dwarf

[Hillsy7]

O vast and faceless miasma of gaming knowledge, lend me your wisdom....

....ahem.

Quick point. I'm a new DM with a bunch of new gamers and alas, someone has drawn up the stereotypical, loud-mouth, hyper-aggressive, alcoholic dwarf. Now, I've no doubt this is due to not having played table-top RPGs before (where better to start than arguably THE stereotype of D&D), and he's just feeling his way into character.

We've only had a handful of sessions, but I'm very conscious of shielding the far quieter Storytellers from the Instigator. Obviously I'm planning on tagging some negative consequences when dealing with NPCs and such, but it's the inter-player action I don't have any control over.

Has anyone got any tips on how to nip this in the bud in game? I'm thinking about aligning his character goals with some of the other players to force co-operation, but then there's the risk he could take over. (NB: his backstory and motivation are pretty solid actually, just that new player...errr....unwieldliness)

Ta

 

[Nagol]

I had two of those characters in my last D&D campaign and every player has been gaming for 40+ years.

The player is playing an archtype. So what's the problem again? I'm not seeing one.

 

[SnowleopardVK]

Hm, that can be tough. I recall it happening when I first played the game too.

One thing I might suggest is that you engineer a bit of inter-player roleplaying between the quieter ones. When they're in town find a way to split the party that isn't alarming/an emergency, and give the quiet ones a chance to get some RP practice with the other people at the table who are less likely to intimidate them, i.e. the other quiet ones. After a bit of practice RPing/getting to know their own characters a bit better they'll probably do a bit better at keeping up with the loud, aggressive one.

 

[Is_907]

Has anyone got any tips on how to nip this in the bud in game? I'm thinking about aligning his character goals with some of the other players to force co-operation, but then there's the risk he could take over. (NB: his backstory and motivation are pretty solid actually, just that new player...errr....unwieldliness)
Ta

Don't. I find that with less time to play, it's best to deal with play style issues out of game. Just chat/call/email the player and say "Hey, I know this is your character, but I just want you to be aware of these potential issues." Don't say "You are doing x, y, and z. Stop." Just tell him that there are some problems that MIGHT arise, and give some advice on how to keep from railroading the other players.
If the player is a sane, normal person, he/she won't want to step on other players, once he/she understands that is a potential hazard.


However... that being said, if you can just direct their attention with in game stuff, great. I just prefer to handle these things quickly and directly.
Then again, I only play with people who I know can handle that kind of direct approach without getting hurt or hurting me/others.

 

[the Jester]

O vast and faceless miasma of gaming knowledge, lend me your wisdom....

....ahem.

Quick point. I'm a new DM with a bunch of new gamers and alas, someone has drawn up the stereotypical, loud-mouth, hyper-aggressive, alcoholic dwarf. Now, I've no doubt this is due to not having played table-top RPGs before (where better to start than arguably THE stereotype of D&D), and he's just feeling his way into character.

Wait wait wait. You say this like his choice of character is a problem. Is it? If so, why? It sounds to me like he enjoys roleplaying, which is something that is a good thing in a player, IMHO.

We've only had a handful of sessions, but I'm very conscious of shielding the far quieter Storytellers from the Instigator.

I'm not... what do you mean, "shielding" them from him? You mean from the consequences of his actions and roleplaying? Why not leave that up to the pcs themselves? If their buddy starts a bar fight, maybe they don't join in. If they do, maybe they all end up fined 10 gp each for public drunkenness.

Is this the kind of thing you mean? I guess I'm not sure what you're shielding them from?

Obviously I'm planning on tagging some negative consequences when dealing with NPCs and such, but it's the inter-player action I don't have any control over.

And indeed, you should not. That's all player stuff.

Has anyone got any tips on how to nip this in the bud in game? I'm thinking about aligning his character goals with some of the other players to force co-operation, but then there's the risk he could take over. (NB: his backstory and motivation are pretty solid actually, just that new player...errr....unwieldliness)

Ta

I have no idea what you're trying to nip in the bud, to be honest- is he uncooperative with the other pcs? If so, you should talk to him out of game and let him know that he's going to need to adapt to playing with the group or else accept a minimal amount of play time.

Is this an issue of him being a spotlight hog? If so, the answer is simple: "Wait your turn." Make sure you give each of the other pcs equal time to pursue their goals and agendas, and to roleplay.

Sorry, I'm really not clear on the issue here.

 

[Oryan77]

I think you should give us some examples of things he did in game that you find to be a problem.

Sure, the drunken dwarf loudmouth is a stereotype, but it's a stereotype for a reason. It can be fun and interesting. Not just to the player, but for everyone else too. I'm not saying that it can't be annoying, but it would be nice to hear examples so we know if what he is doing really is annoying.

It sounds more like the problem might just be him being a spotlight hog and that could be what is really bothering you. So lets hear some examples!

 

[SnowleopardVK]

To the more experienced people posting: I think the big issue here is that spotlight hogs can be intimidating to the shyer type of newbie. Just saying "wait your turn" doesn't really help if the shy ones then don't talk because they don't feel they can put on a similar level of performance.

It doesn't sound entirely like the OP sees this player or character as something that needs to be fixed. More like they want advice on how to get the shy ones more engaged despite sharing a spotlight with a more boisterous, intimidating-for-quiet-people type of character. At least that was my take on it anyways.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I had two of those characters in my last D&D campaign and every player has been gaming for 40+ years.

The player is playing an archtype. So what's the problem again? I'm not seeing one.

Agreed.

However, as others suggest, IF the problem is being a ham, then that CAN be a problem. My solution to that is just to ask the player- privately, of course- to tone it down a notch.

 

[Tonguez]

make him the DM

 

[Mark CMG]

Just make sure all of the characters get equal, or close to it, playing time and let the chips fall where they may.